Nectarine tree named &#39;Cakebella&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of white flat nectarine tree denominated ‘CAKEBELLA’ has fruits with high eating quality and very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting, with a very well closed pistil cavity, with a semi-sweet white flesh having a red pigmentation, in particular around the stone cavity in a star shape, and an attractive luminous skin with a very high percentage of purple red blush on skin surface, on a red background.

This application claims priority of Community plant variety right No. 2016/2954 filed on Nov. 25, 2016 (Nov. 25, 2016) which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Botanical classification: Prunus persica (L.) Batsch.

Variety denomination: ‘CAKEBELLA’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of white flat nectarine tree, Prunus persica (L.) Batsch, which has been given the variety denomination ‘CAKEBELLA’.

This new tree produces fruits with a long shelf life without alteration both on the tree after growth completion and after harvesting, very good eating quality, semi-clingstone white flesh fruits, with a very slightly red pigmentation near the epidermis, for fresh market in July in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, France.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The ‘CAKEBELLA’ white flat nectarine tree originated from a cultivated area of the south of France, in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, where it was tested.

This place is under a Mediterranean climate (a temperate area), on the Mediterranean coastline. Winters are gentle and summers warm and dry. The amount of days with temperatures below 7° Celsius can vary between 600 and 1200 hours per year. The place is sunny, with 2400 to 2800 hours of sunny days per year on average. The prevailing wind is called ‘Tramontane’: it dries the air, clears the sky from clouds, but its intensity can be strong and affect the harvest, fruit quantity and/or quality. Marine moisture does not affect the place. Precipitations are irregular through the year and from one year to another. The amount of rainy days does not exceed 80 days per year, and are mostly found in Spring and Autumn. In May and October, very intense precipitations occasionally happen. Summer is dry with a few thunderstorms.

The ‘CAKEBELLA’ variety results from a controlled cross between the ‘CAKEDELICE’ white flat nectarine tree (not patented) which was used as the seed parent and the ‘NECTARBOOM’ white nectarine tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,355) which was used as the pollen parent.

The ‘CAKEBELLA’ variety was obtained by hybridizing and propagated by grafting on a ‘INRA® GF677’ (non-patented) rootstock trees. It has been determined to have unique tree and fruit characteristics making it worthy for commercial fresh fruit production. There are no known effects of the standard rootstock trees set forth above on the scion cultivar. Asexually propagated plants remained true to the original tree and all characteristics of the tree and the fruit were transmitted. The plant was reproduced asexually by us in Les Régalines, Route d'Alenya, La Prade de Mousseillous, 66200 ELNE, Pyrénées-Orientales, France. More particularly, the plant was reproduced by grafting.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety ‘CAKEBELLA’ white flat nectarine tree blooms at the end of February or during March near Elne in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, France. The blooming period is considered medium. However, it was observed that its late date of blooming seems to be highly dependant on climatic conditions.

The first fruit of ‘CAKEBELLA’ ripens generally early to medium season, in the beginning of July. More particularly, it usually ripens between July 1 and July 6. However, it was observed that its date of maturity seems to be highly dependant on climatic conditions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawing, which are as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make in a color illustration of this type:

FIG. 1 is a color photograph that shows five trees of the new variety ‘CAKEBELLA’ at blooming time in orchard.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph which depicts the flower buds at different development stages, and the reverse and side view of the flower and the reproductive organs with petals removed, of the new variety.

FIG. 3 is a color photograph which shows three typical specimens of the fruit, one of them having been cut in half with the pit being left in one of the halves for depicting fruit flesh, pit and pit cavity of the new variety

FIG. 4 is a color photograph showing a close view of typical specimens of the new variety at ripening time.

Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the flowers, stones and fruits depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate when compared to the actual botanical specimen.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The tree, flowers, and fruit may vary in slight detail due to variations in soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition. The potential for commercial production of fresh fruits by ‘CAKEBELLA’ is high, due to fruit very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting.

Trees are vigorous and large stature half-standing in a semi-flared out aspect. The anthocyanic coloration of flowering shoot is present excluding brushwood side away from sun. The time of beginning of flowering is considered medium; flowering begins at the end of February or during March. The type of flower is showy (rosette) with large petal size. Petals are medium pink. Leaf glands are present and reniform. The fruit flesh is white, generally with a red pigmentation at ripening time and with a red pigmentation in a star shape around the stone cavity. The fruit skin is medium thick, with a luminous purple red blush on a red background. The stone is semi-clingstone and his size is medium. Fruit taste is semi-sweet, very aromatic and with a high level of sugars.

Compared to ‘CAKEREVE’ white flat nectarine variety (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 26,769), the fruits of ‘CAKEBELLA’ variety ripen approximately one week earlier, sometimes even more than one week earlier. The amount of flower produced by the new variety ‘CAKEBELLA’, between 40 and 45 flowers per linear meter, is lower than the flower productivity of the similar variety ‘CAKEREVE’, between 50 and 60 flowers per linear meter. ‘CAKEBELLA’ fruits show a very well closed pistil cavity. In comparison, ‘CAKEREVE’ fruits possess a pistil cavity well closed.

Compared to the seed parent ‘CAKEDELICE’ white flat nectarine tree (not patented), the new variety named ‘CAKEBELLA’ generally ripens more than 2 weeks earlier. Compared to the pollen parent ‘NECTARBOOM’ white nectarine tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,355), the new variety named ‘CAKEBELLA’ differs from its pollen parent by the fruit shape: ‘CAKEBELLA” is a flat nectarine whereas ‘NECTARBOOM’ is a round nectarine. Fruit of ‘CAKEBELLA’ ripen generally later than those of ‘NECTARBOOM’, approximately 10 to 15 days later.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new and distinct variety of white flat nectarine tree, the following was observed on trees in their third growing season (second year of production) under the ecological conditions prevailing at the orchards located near the town of Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. All observations have been done on rootstock cultivars. Used rootstocks were ‘INRA® GF677’ (non-patented) trees. All major color code designations are by reference to The R.H.S. Color Chart (Fourth Edition) provided by The Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain.

-   Tree:     -   -   Size.—         -   Generally.—Considered medium. The tree size the first year             was approximately 200 to 280 cm. The tree was pruned during             each following dormant season to a height of approximately             250 cm. Current season shoots growth could reach 80 cm. The             tree size from the second year (second and next years)             reached a final height of 330 cm including current season             shoots length. The tree size is consistently reduces to 250             cm the next years.         -   Spread.—Approximately 100 cm with a cylindrical shape. The             whole orchard was oriented to a central leader organization,             with tree lines spaced of 4.0 meters and trees spaced of 1.0             meter in a same tree line. As a result, tree spread was             about 100 cm and the orchard contained 2500 trees by             hectare.         -   Vigor.—Considered medium to strong.         -   Productivity.—Considered good to very good and regular.             Fruit set is spaced by thinning to develop the remaining             fruit into the desired market sized fruit. The number of the             fruit set varies with the prevailing climatic conditions and             cultural practices employed during the bloom period, and is             therefore not distinctive of the present variety. A reduce             vegetation, obtained with pruning or green pruning,             approximately 1 month or 1 month ½ before harvesting flat             fruits, significantly promotes fruit qualities, especially             growth, color and firmness. Moreover, contamination risks             due to monilia or rot are significantly reduced. ‘CAKEBELLA’             variety is not much sensitive to cracking of pistil cavity,             to cork formation into peduncle cavity or to monilia.         -   Bearer.—Very regular. The fruit distribution is considered             homogenous on mixed branches and spurs having more than 1             year. Thinning of 2 fruits out of 3 was necessary for the             tree valorisation. Thinning was necessary every year during             the years of observation.         -   Form.—The ‘CAKEBELLA’ variety has naturally a semi-flared             shape.         -   Density.—Considered dense.         -   Hardiness.—The present tree was grown and evaluated in             France. The variety appears to be hardy under the central             Pyrénées-Orientales departement typical climatic conditions.             Experimentations on different sites with winter chilling             requirement comprised between 350 hours and 1200 hours             showed a good behaviour of the tree in all cases.             Traditionally, flat fruits are more sensitive to critical             low temperatures and to climatic variations, because of the             flower morphology in which the ovule is less protected than             in the classical round fruits. Thus, areas not much exposed             to frost are recommended for trees growth. However             ‘CAKEBELLA’ trees seem to be very resistant to critical             frosty weather. -   Trunk:     -   -   Diameter.—Approximately 36 millimeters in diameter when             measured at a distance of approximately 20 centimeters above             the soil level.         -   Bark texture.—Considered rough, with lenticels.         -   Lenticels.—Numerous lenticels are present. The number of             lenticels reaches 6 lenticels per cm².The lenticels range in             size from approximately 3.0 to 4.0 millimeters in width, and             about 1.1 to 1.5 millimeters in height.         -   Lenticel color.—The lenticels have a beige color (R.H.S.             Greyed Yellow 161 D).         -   Bark coloration.—The bark has a grey to brown color (R.H.S.             Grey 201 A or R.H.S. Grey 201 B or R.H.S. Grey Brown N199A)             darker than the outside of lenticels color. -   Branches:     -   -   Size.—The branches are pruned to approximately 1.0 meter in             length.         -   Diameter.—Average as compared to other nectarine varieties.             The current season shoots have a diameter of approximately             4.0 to 5.0 millimeters, and mature branches have a diameter             of approximately 6.0 to 8.5 millimeters.         -   Surface texture.—Smooth for current season shoots and rough,             with lenticels, for mature branches, wood which is several             years old has no furrowed appearance.         -   Crotch angles.—Primary branches are considered variable, but             the crotch angles are generally 45.0 degrees from the             horizontal axis. This particular characteristic is not             considered distinctive of the variety, however.         -   Current season shoots.—         -   Internode length.—Generally 19.0 to 23.0 millimeters.         -   Color.—The color of new shoot tips is considered green             (R.H.S. Yellow Green 145 A) on lower part of new shoot tips,             whereas the upper part is darker and colored in brown-purple             more or less deep (R.H.S. Greyed Purple 187 A or Greyed             Purple 187 B), depending on the level on the tip and the             sunlight exposure.         -   Mature branches.—         -   Internode length.—Generally 16.0 to 19.0 millimeters.         -   Color of mature branches.—Brown to slightly grey (R.H.S.             Grey Brown N199 A to R.H.S. Grey Brown N 199 B).         -   Lenticels.—Numerous lenticels are present on mature             branches. The number of lenticels reaches 2 lenticels per             cm². The size of lenticels is considered small. The             lenticels range in size from approximately 1.2 to 1.5             millimeter in width, and about 0.8 to 1.0 millimeter in             height. The lenticel shape is round and slightly stretched.         -   Lenticel color.—The lenticels on mature branches have a             light beige color (R.H.S. Greyed Orange 164 C or R.H.S.             Greyed Orange 164 D). -   Leaves:     -   -   Size.—Considered medium for the species. The ratio leaf             length/leaf width is 3.91.         -   Leaf length.—The medium length is about 152.67 millimeters             with leaf petiole.         -   Leaf width.—The medium width is 39.0 millimeters.         -   Leaf shape in cross section.—Concave.         -   Leaf form.—Lanceolate.         -   Leaf tip form.—Acute.         -   Leaf base form.—Acute.         -   Leaf margins.—Crenate.         -   Leaf thickness.—Medium.         -   Leaf color.—         -   Upper leaf surface.—Green (R.H.S. Yellow Green 147 A).         -   Lower surface.—A lighter green (R.H.S. Yellow Green 146 A or             R.H.S. Yellow Green 146 B) than the upper leaf surface             color.         -   Leaf texture.—Smooth and glabrous.         -   Leaf venation.—Pinnately veined.         -   Mid-vein.—         -   Color.—Light green, almost cream white (R.H.S. Yellow Green             145 C). The color may evolve with maturity.         -   Thickness.—Approximately 1.5 millimeters.         -   Uniformity.—Leaves are isolated or grouped by 2 or 3. In             this last case, one leaf of normal size is found with one or             two smaller leaves (at least 50% smaller).         -   Leaf petioles.—         -   Size.—Considered medium.         -   Length.—About 10.0 to about 14.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—About 1.7 to 2.0 millimeters.         -   Shape.—Ribbed, fluted.         -   Petioles color.—         -   Upper petiole surface.—Light green (R.H.S. Yellow Green 145             A).         -   Lower surface.—Light green (R.H.S. Yellow Green 145 B).         -   Leaf glands.—         -   Size.—Considered medium. Their length is about 1.5             millimeters and their width is about 1.0 millimeter.         -   Number.—Generally 2 glands per leaf.         -   Type.—Reniform.         -   Margins.—Smooth and regular.         -   Color.—On mature leaves, leaf glands color is considered             brown (R.H.S. Brown 200 A to R.H.S. Brown 200 B).         -   Margins.—Smooth and regular.         -   Leaf stipules.—         -   Generally.—No leaf stipules were observed. But as seen in             the characteristic relative to the leaves uniformity, it is             possible to find leaves by groups of 2 or 3, with a             normal-size leaf and smaller ones. -   Flowers:     -   -   Flower buds.—         -   Generally.—At pre-floral stage of development, the floral             buds are conic in form with a round tip. Their form is             evolving until blooming, with variables dimensions. Just             before blooming, floral buds are approximately 9.0 to 10.0             millimeters wide and approximately 17.0 to 18.0 millimeters             long.         -   Color.—This characteristic is dependent upon the proximity             to bloom. At pre-floral stage of development, the bottom of             the flowers buds, formed by the sepals, is of purple-brown             color (R.H.S. Greyed Purple 183 A) on their outer surface,             and green (R.H.S. Yellow green 146 B or R.H.S. Yellow Green             146 C) on their inner surface. The corolla, formed by the             petals, is generally of pale pink color (R.H.S. Red Purple             69 A or R.H.S. Red Purple 69 B) on both faces. Petals color             shows an evolution until the end of flowering.         -   Hardiness.—The buds are considered hardy under typical             central Pyrénées-Orientales departement climatic conditions.             No winter injury was noted during the last several years of             evaluation in the central Pyrénées-Orientales departement,             with winter temperatures as low as −10 degrees Celsius in             January. The current variety has not been intentionally             subjected to drought or heat stress, but the variety showed             a very good resistance in orchard to temperatures up to 42             degrees Celsius with an average temperature between 28 and             30 degrees Celsius during 3 weeks in summer.         -   Date of bloom.—The blooming time generally begins at the end             of February or during March. The first bloom was observed on             Mar. 10, 2015.         -   Blooming time.—Considered medium in relative comparison to             other commercial nectarine cultivars grown in the             Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. The date of full             bloom is observed generally at the middle of the blooming             period. The date of bloom varies slightly with climatic             conditions and cultural practices. Thus the full bloom was             observed in 2015, from March 10^(th) until March 19^(th) and             then from February 22^(nd) until Mar. 5, 2016 and then from             February 28^(th) until Mar. 9, 2017.         -   Duration of bloom.—Medium. Approximately between 10 to 13             days. This characteristic varies slightly with the             prevailing climatic conditions.         -   Flower type.—The variety is considered to have a showy type             flower.         -   Flower size.—Considered large. Flower diameter at full bloom             is approximately 39.0 to 44.0 millimeters.         -   Bloom quantity.—Considered abundant, approximately between             40 and 45 flowers per meter, with a high rate of fruit set.             The bloom is heterogeneous, and the bloom quantity is more             important on the top of the tree.         -   Flower bud frequency.—Generally 2 flower buds appear per             node, occasionally 1.         -   Petal size.—         -   Generally.—Considered large.         -   Length.—Generally between 22.0 and 24.0 millimeters. The             medium length is 23.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Generally between 20.0 and 22.0 millimeters. The             medium width is about 21.0 millimeters.         -   Petal form.—Round-shaped.         -   Petal count.—Generally 5.         -   Petal texture.—Smooth and soft.         -   Petal color.—At the stage F2, when the flower is fully open,             both surfaces of the petal are colored with a medium Pink             (R.H.S. Red Purple 65 B or R.H.S. Red Purple 65 C or R.H.S.             Red Purple 65 D) when young, becoming slightly darker until             the end of blooming.         -   Fragrance—Sweet.         -   Petal claw.—         -   Form.—The claw is considered to have narrow form.         -   Length.—About 2.5 millimeters.         -   Width.—About 1.0 millimeter at the base.         -   Color.—A darker pink than the petal color (R.H.S. Red Purple             61 B).         -   Petal margins.—Generally considered wavy at their base.         -   Petal apex.—         -   Generally.—The petal apices are generally wide dome-shaped.         -   Flower pedicel.—         -   Length.—Considered medium and having an average length of             approximately 2.5 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Considered average, approximately 1.5 millimeters.         -   Color.—Light green (R.H.S. Yellow Green 145 A).         -   Calyx.—         -   Internal surface texture.—Smooth and glabrous.         -   Color.—At the stage F of blooming, when the flower is open,             the inner surface of the calyx, namely the flower             receptacle, is greenish yellow (R.H.S. Yellow Green 153 D).             The outer surface of the calyx is considered of purple-brown             (R.H.S. Greyed Purple 183 A) color.         -   Sepals.—         -   Sepal count.—5.         -   Surface texture.—The outer surface has a short, fine             pubescent texture.         -   Margins.—Smooth.         -   Form.—Conic.         -   Size.—Medium.         -   Length.—Approximately 6.0 to 7.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Approximately 4.0 to 5.0 millimeters.         -   Color.—At pre-floral stage of development, the color of the             sepals is purple-brown (R.H.S. Greyed Purple 183 A) on their             outer surface, and green (R.H.S. Yellow green 146 B or             R.H.S. Yellow Green 146 C) on their inner surface. At the             stage F of blooming, when the flower is open, the inner             surface of the sepals is green yellow (R.H.S. Yellow Green             153 D). The outer surface of the sepals is considered of             purple-brown color (R.H.S. Greyed Purple 183 A).         -   Average number of stamens per flower.—Approximately 32 to 36             stamens per flower.         -   Anthers.—         -   Generally.—Medium in length.         -   Color.—At an early stage of maturity, anthers are colored             with an orange yellow (R.H.S. Yellow Orange 16 A to R.H.S.             Yellow Orange 16 B) or an orange red color (R.H.S. Red Group             N 34 A or R.H.S. Greyed Red Group 178 A). The color may             evolve with maturity to turn in a red color.         -   Pollen production.—Pollen is abundant, and has an orange             yellow color (Approximately R.H.S. Yellow Orange 17 B to             R.H.S. Yellow Orange 17 C) which may evolve with maturity.             The present variety is considered auto-fertile             (self-pollinating).         -   Filaments.—         -   Size.—Medium length, between 11.0 and 16.0 millimeters in             length. Filaments length is generally the same or slightly             higher than the pistil's length.         -   Color.—Considered pale pink (R.H.S. Red Purple 62 C to             R.H.S. Red Purple 62 D) or darker pink (R.H.S. Red Purple 73             A to R.H.S. Red Purple 73 B). The color becomes darker             during the blooming.         -   Pistil.—         -   Number.—Usually 1.         -   Generally.—Average in size.         -   Length.—Approximately 17.0 to 22.0 millimeters including the             ovary. Generally smaller than stamen length.         -   Color.—Considered a very pale green (R.H.S. Yellow Green             Group 151 D) at the beginning of the flowering. The color             evolves during the blooming, becoming more light (R.H.S.             Yellow Green 150 D) and sometimes very slightly pink (R.H.S.             Red Group 36D) at the end of the blooming.         -   Surface texture.—Glabrous.         -   Ovary.—No pubescence.         -   Height.—Between 1.5 and 2.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Between 1.5 and 2.0 millimeters.         -   Color.—Green (R.H.S. Yellow Green 145 A or R.H.S. Yellow             Green 145 B).         -   Stamen.—Size compared to petals. The size of stamen is             smaller than the size of petals.         -   Stigma.—         -   Position compared to anthers.—The stigma is below the             anthers.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 1.0 millimeter.         -   Color.—Pale green to slightly yellow (R.H.S. Yellow Green             154 B). -   Fruit:     -   -   Maturity when described.—Very firm in ripe conditions             (shipping ripe).         -   Date of first picking.—Jul. 1, 2014.         -   Date of last picking.—The date of harvest varies slightly             with the prevailing climatic conditions. The ‘CAKEBELLA’             variety has an early to medium date of picking, and a             grouped maturity. The maturity is grouped within 7 to 9 days             and the harvest is generally performed in two runs. Last             known picking times carry on July 1^(st) to Jul. 9, 2014,             then from July 1^(st) to Jul. 7, 2015, then from July 6^(th)             to Jul. 12, 2016, and then from July 4^(th) to Jul. 10,             2017.         -   Size.—         -   Generally.—Homogeneous in size. Considered medium to large.         -   Average cheek diameter.—Approximately 76.0 to 79.0             millimeters.         -   Average axial diameter.—Approximately 42.0 to 44.0             millimeters.         -   Typical weight.—Generally about 160.0 grams. This             characteristic is high dependent upon the prevailing             cultural practices, and therefore is not particularly             distinctive of the variety.         -   Fruit form.—         -   Generally.—Round and flattened, regular. The fruit is             generally uniform in symmetry, viewed from the suture's             plane.         -   Suture.—         -   Fruit suture.—Wide-mouthed and not marked, extending from             the base to the apex. No apparent callousing or stitching             exists along the suture line. Not pointed.         -   Color.—The suture has generally a similar color to the whole             fruit color, a luminous purple red (R.H.S. Greyed Purple 187             A).         -   Ventral surface.—         -   Form.—Smooth.         -   Apex.—Slightly depressed.         -   Base.—Semi-flared, shallow.         -   Stem cavity.—Small depth of the stem cavity is about 11.0 to             13.0 millimeters. Average width is about 18.0 to 20.0             millimeters.         -   Fruit skin.—         -   Thickness.—Considered medium thick and strong, and the             adherence of skin to flesh is strong.         -   Texture.—Smooth and glabrous, no pubescence.         -   Taste.—Semi-sweet, sugary.         -   Tendency to crack.—None observed.         -   Lenticels.—None observed.         -   Color.—         -   Blush color.—This blush color is a luminous purple red             (R.H.S. Greyed Purple 187 A). The purple red blush covers             95% of the fruit skin surface on a red background (R.H.S.             Greyed Purple 185 A) on approximately 5% of the fruit skin             surface. The percentage of the blush on the fruit skin             surface can vary, and is generally dependant upon the             prevailing conditions under which the fruit was grown.         -   Ground color.—The ground color covers approximately 5% of             the fruit skin surface, and is considered red (R.H.S. Greyed             Purple 185 A).         -   Fruit stem.—Medium in length, approximately 8.0 to 9.0             millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 4.0 to 5.0 millimeters.         -   Color.—Green (R.H.S. Yellow Green 145 A).         -   Flesh.—         -   Ripens.—Very homogenously, slowly. The flesh has a long             shelf life.         -   Texture.—Very firm, very dense, crunchy, melting, juicy at             harvest maturity stage.         -   Fibers.—Not fibrous.         -   Aroma.—Pronounced.         -   Eating quality.—Considered very good, aromatic.         -   Flavor.—Considered semi-sweet. The Brix is generally             superior to 12 and acidity comprised between 6 and 9 meq/100             ml.         -   Juice.—Juicy at complete maturity.         -   Brix.—Generally 15.7 degrees. This characteristic varies             slightly with the number of fruit per tree; prevailing             cultural practices; and the surrounding climatic conditions.         -   Flesh color.—White flesh (R.H.S. White 155 D) usually with a             red pigmentation (R.H.S. Red 51 B) at ripening time. A red             pigmentation (R.H.S. Red Purple 60 B) is also observed             around the stone cavity, in a star shape on approximately             6.0 millimeters. -   Stone:     -   -   Type.—Semi-Clingstone, more or less semi-adherent depending             on the fruit maturity.         -   Size.—Considered medium for the variety. The stone size             varies significantly depending upon the tree vigor, crop             load and prevailing growing conditions.         -   Length.—Approximately 15.0 to 16.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Approximately 22.0 to 24.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 20.0 to 22.0 millimeters.         -   Form.—Flattened.         -   Base.—Straight.         -   Apex.—         -   Shape.—The stone apex is flattened, not marked.         -   Stone cavity.—Considered medium size, with flattened form             and dimensions corresponding to the stone's dimensions.         -   Stone surface.—         -   Surface texture.—The pit is transversely furrowed on its             entire surface. Furrows are deeper and more oblate on             lateral sides.         -   Ridges.—The surface texture is generally characterized by             more prominent ridges along the ventral edges and at the             apical tip.         -   Ventral edge.—         -   Width.—Approximately 3.0 to 4.0 millimeters at mid-suture.         -   Dorsal edge.—         -   Shape.—Grooved.         -   Stone color.—The color of the dry stone is generally             considered light orange brown (R.H.S. Greyed Orange 165 B or             R.H.S. Greyed Orange 165 C).         -   Tendency to split.—Splitting is very low or absent,             depending on climatic conditions between blooming period and             stone hardening.         -   Kernel.—         -   Size.—The kernel is considered small.         -   Length.—Approximately 4.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Approximately 7.0 millimeters.         -   Thickness.—Approximately 6.0 millimeters.         -   Form.—Considered flattened and elliptic. Sometimes double.         -   Pellicle.—The pellicle of the kernel has a short pubescence.         -   Color.—The kernel skin is orange-brown colored (R.H.S.             Greyed Orange N167 B). The almond, which is the seed of the             kernel, is white (R.H.S. White 155 B) and has a bitter             tasting. The kernel and its embryo are mature at the time of             fruit maturity.         -   Use.—The subject variety ‘CAKEBELLA’ is considered to be a             white flat nectarine tree of the early to medium season of             maturity, and which produces fruits that are considered             firm, attractively colored with a very luminous purple red.             Fruits have a semi-sweet taste and are excellent for             uncooked consumption, crunchy or melting when at full             maturity. Fruits have excellent gustative qualities. Due to             their flesh quality, firmness and density, they can also be             commercialized as 4^(th) range product (packed fruit or             fruit in bags for example). And they are also useful for             both local and very long distance shipping.         -   Keeping quality.—Remarkable. Fruit have a slow maturation             and a long shelf life both on the tree after growth             completion and after harvesting without alteration. After             growth completion, fruits are preserved more than one week.             After harvest, fruits are well preserved more than 4 weeks             at 2.0 degree Celsius.         -   Shipping quality.—Considered very good. The fruit of the new             white flat nectarine variety showed minimal bruising of the             flesh or skin damage after being subjected to normal             harvesting and packing procedures. Its resistance to             handling during harvest and packing and its long shelf life             without alteration after harvest easily permit 3 to 4             weeks-shipping at 2 degrees Celsius.         -   Resistance to insects and disease.—No particular             susceptibilities were noted. The present variety is not very             sensitive to Monilia or rot. The pistil cavity is completely             closed, generally without any cork formation. Although the             new variety of white flat nectarine tree possesses the             described characteristics when grown under the ecological             conditions prevailing near Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales             departement, France, it should be understood that variations             of the usual magnitude and characteristics incident to             changes in growing conditions, fertilization, pruning, pest             control and horticultural management are to be expected. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of white flat nectarine tree as illustrated and described, characterized by fruits with high eating quality and very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting, with a very well closed pistil cavity, with a semi-sweet white flesh having a red pigmentation, in particular around the stone cavity in a star shape, and an attractive luminous skin with a very high percentage of purple red blush on skin surface, on a red background. 